TR - Sun Valley for 4th of July 2020

Another long weekend, time to escape the craziness again and get out of town. It's been a few years since my last trip to Stanley and I've been wanting to get back up to Idaho. Securing a couple extra days off work and recent pics of abundant wildflowers helped steer me that way for 4th of July.

In the past I've gone up I-15 through SLC never bothering to check google maps for optimal routing. I checked just to see the estimated drive time - 14 hrs, which is about my limit for a 5 day trip. Incidentally, maps showed it was an hour faster going up Nevada 93 from Vegas through Ely NV. Hmm.... I've heard there are some good trails there, and the temps didn't look terrible.

So I hit up MTBR's KRob who lives in the area and made a plan to meet up at 6am for a pre-work ride. I didn't relish the early start time since I'd be getting in very late, but that would leave lots of time to check out other rides or get up to Ketchum in time to ride.


Day 1

Ride 1

Leaving already? Not quite.... I was leaving my random campsite though

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...01_052640c.jpg


The Legend, KRob.

I had to ask the correct pronunciation of Ely as I don't think I've ever heard anyone speak the name. Is it Elly or E-Lie? Turns out it is E-Lee. You learn something every day!

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_074324.jpg


He had a couple hours to ride before he had to be at work, so we met at Ward Mtn and wasted no time. First climb was mellow.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_062754.jpg


This was the top of the first lap on the G Loop. Not a huge climb or descent but pretty fun.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_064625.jpg


Climbed back up a sage filled back canyon to the Old Connector. Great views from up top.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_075402.jpg


Then we dropped into Powderberry Divide, a fun descent that took us all the way down to the highway closer to town. KRob had a big hand in building it so it was great to check it out in person. Nice work, super fun trail!

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_080351.jpg


Picked up a nail about 1/2 mile from the highway after the trail dropped onto a fire road. The home brew sealant works and it didn't go flat. This is what I found back at the truck. A bacon strip later it was all good. Glad for that, it was a brand new tire.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_090201.jpg


Thanks for the tour KRob! He was awesome enough to park at the end of the ride and pedal the highway to meet me to avoid a shuttle.

12.5mi +1800/-2400



Ride 2

Rather than check out other trails at Ward Mtn I opted to check out another trail system nearby at Cave Lake State Park. It was only 9am but starting to warm up a bit.

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After a couple miles traversing along a creek I got to Cave Lake. I paid the $2 entrance fee and the climbing started right away.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_104647.jpg


It was all rideable but the steep grade had me stopping often to catch my breath.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_105526.jpg


Almost at the top

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_114120.jpg


I followed a Trailforks route called High Roller which was basically an outer loop that covered most of the system. Here it crossed onto the backside of the mountain and got quite rocky.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09..._114648.vr.jpg


Cool rock outcrop and a nice view of the mountains west of Ely. The descent was a bit pedally but pretty fun. 10 mi and +/- 1,800ft

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09..._121754.vr.jpg


I decided to bail on a third ride, Whorehouse DH, and skipped out of town after a swim and some food. 6 hours driving to Ketchum.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_155949.jpg


Ride 3

Got to Hailey just before 8pm which left about 90min til sunset. I'd heard the Croy Creek trails are fun and an easy pedal so I headed there rather than something further away in Ketchum.


The sun about to leave me in the shadows as I started the ride

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_201336.jpg


Came across this on the trail a couple miles up. WTH? It looked like a 20" earthworm or a rubber toy. Turns out it's a northern rubber boa, and apparently quite rare. It was either extremely docile (barely moved even when picked up) or injured. Was hoping it hadn't been run over, so I moved it off the trail.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_203425.jpg


Some great views up high in the back 40. The climbs were very mellow. This would be a perfect network for a singlespeed.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_210929.jpg


Around the corner, looking north. Last alpenglow fading on the mountains behind Sun Valley

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Using that seems to be asking a lot these days, generally speaking

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...701_212006.jpg


Finished just at dusk and didn't need my light. Definitely a fun little trail system. Part is open to motos and the parts I rode would make for a great beginner moto ride. I was half hoping I'd have time to come back as I am usually too chicken to take my dual sport on singletrack in case I lay it down below the trail. These trails seemed like they'd be fun, and safe for a noob.

9.5mi +/- 1,350


The combo of riding til dark, late sunset and restaurant Covid schedules has been a pain for months and Idaho was no exception. Fortunately I had half a breakfast burrito left which was more than enough, and I set off in the dark to find a spot to camp.


Showing up mid week proved to be a good move as a lot of dispersed sites near town were still open. Some spots had a camping limit of 3 days which was perfect for me. I nice got a site 1/4 mile off the main road. Perfect...

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_003845.jpg

Day 2 - Pioneer - Johnstone - Bear - Parker loop

A ride I've wanted to do forever in Sun Valley is the classic Pioneer Cabin loop. I decided to hit it first thing and get it out of the way as it's a pretty big day.

Slept in a bit later than I should have and it was noon by the time I got riding.


Being its a summer MTB destination shouldn't there be a biker statue along side?

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_120409.jpg


Is it still trespassing if the sign is deliberately hidden? So many questions as I started the ride

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Bike path out of town and then Corral trail. Such a nice pedal. Then once I hit the Pioneer Cabin Trail things got steeeeep. Tons of hikers coming down as I was climbing. I got lots of "you're crazy".

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_151543.jpg


It was all rideable until the top of the switchbacks, then it got even steeper with loose shale on top. Time to hike... Above the main tree line views opened up

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Snow capped peaks in the Sawtooths. Sun Valley is out of sight down the valley and around the corner

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First view of the cabin. With the peaks in behind it's a spectacular sight

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_162009.jpg


A viewpoint off to the right

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A benefit of heading up late is all the hikers were on their way down as I was climbing. Just two groups remained. One left just before me, the other was camping in the cabin overnight. There are bunks and a stove inside. It's pretty clean.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_165339.jpg


Buttons to embed media seem to have disappeared for me so here's a link to the vid of the descent from the cabin down to Johnstone Creek trail

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li7fNd52SEo

https://youtu.be/li7fNd52SEo

Johnstone Creek trail starts with a traverse. Much more raw than the other trails.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_170647.jpg


The views continue. Fun descent. Only saw one hiker with his four labs

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Climbing up Bear Gulch. The start is nice and mellow. But with 2000ft gain in 3 miles its going to be a grunt.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_183714.jpg


I'll be climbing up to that distant saddle. The steep climbing has just begun.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_185202.jpg


Almost there. Great view to the south from the ridgeline

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_194450.jpg


The top... Parker Gulch trail has similar stats but the opposite trajectory. Time to let it rip. Such a fast, fun trail.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_200744.jpg


There was a few miles of bike path back to town which was good to loosen the legs. Finished right at sunset. Great day on the bike with two tough climbs and two fun descents

34mi +/- 6,000ft.


Not much open in town for food so I ended up at Lefty's. I was in need of a soak so I checked out a hot spring north of town. No one there which was nice, but it wasn't much more than lukewarm. Better than the cold river though!

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_231819.jpg

FML

That is one RAD trip. Thanks!

Nice. Yeah, hikers seem to have no idea that the glitter gulch area has a lot to offer for in shape riders, not just Adams Gulch. Kind of like b/c skiing over there. Not a lot of folks get after it much, but those that do are few and far between.

You mean I typed out all that beta for nothing? What a dick! ;)

Another high quality evdog TR.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dantheman

You mean I typed out all that beta for nothing? What a dick! ;)

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LOL

Not to worry, I was definitely taking notes! Was a bit concerned if I got into the goods in your area I wouldn't make it up to ID. TR ain't over though, so stay tuned.

Day 3 - Osberg Ridge


Another lazy morning.

There was an enticing fishing hole right near camp that I couldn't get past without throwing a line out. I'd had some luck the previous day and this morning hooked into a chunky rainbow. As it turned against the current my ultralight rod snapped and the only thing I could do was just back up and pull the fish up onto the bank. The nail in my tire from the first day turned out to be a clutch find, making a perfect dowel to put the rod back together with some duct tape. Back in business!

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...703_093732.jpg


I stopped at a couple other promising spots with mixed results on the way up the valley to drop my bike off for today's point to point ride. Then headed back to town to drop off the truck and ride the moto back to start the ride. First order of business to start the ride was a wet crossing, followed by a second crossing.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...703_142616.jpg


Since I was camped off Warm Springs Rd I decided to climb Castle Creek trail rather than do a much longer drive to the other side of the ridge.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...703_143853.jpg


Seemed like that was a good move. Castle proved to be a pretty nice climb, mostly following close along the creek

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...703_150843.jpg


A few motos had finished their descent just as I was starting but I saw no one on the climb.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09..._154316.vr.jpg


Nice view of adjacent peaks as I got higher up

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The higher I got the tougher the climbing became. Some hike a bike ensued under darkening skies

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Riding through an old burn area with storms visible in the distance

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Looking really ominous now. A storm was approaching from the rear as well and I took shelter under some trees for 20min while the storm passed.

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I ran into one couple right at the turnoff onto Osberg and another pair of riders just above that who commented on Osberg being a full day ride implying I shouldn't attempt it at this point? Dunno, I hadn't started til 230pm and it was now 5:30 with over 20 miles to go. What could go wrong???

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...703_175336.jpg


6 miles of traversing and 1,000ft of climbing remained to get to the high point

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...703_182720.jpg


The higher I got, the better the views

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Interesting burnt forest below the high point

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...703_191419.jpg


Looking north toward Galena

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The top at 9,600ft, ready to descend.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...703_192730.jpg


Curious what happened to the bark on all these trees, the fire must have been long ago for there to be no burn marks

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...703_193611.jpg


Flowers on the descent

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Not much stopping for pics as I was trying to make it back to the truck before dark. Rest stop as I turned onto a climb at the start of Oregon Gulch

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...703_204438.jpg


Made it back to the truck just before dark. Stop in town for a burger at Leftys again. Tried a couple other spots but both were not open or kitchen closed at 10pm. Had a fire back at camp. It's rare we can have a campfire in Socal so this was a treat

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_004003.jpg


30.5mi, +3,850/-4,560ft

Nice, did Osberg => Alden Gulch last fall.

Yeah I've heard Alden Gulch is a fun ride. Next time!

Some footage, now that I've re-figured out how to embed:

Pioneer Cabin descent

https://youtu.be/li7fNd52SEo



Johnstone Creek Tr

https://youtu.be/QN6x1V8epjo


Parker Gulch

https://youtu.be/XeGPCcz2Wfs


Osberg Ridge

https://youtu.be/hFlZ37bwMKU


Upper and Lower Oregon Gulch

https://youtu.be/JlMejId-DJc

https://youtu.be/5CIX0YVH0No

Day 4


A couple big days in a row and my legs were complaining. It didn't help that my sleeping pad suddenly wasn't holding air and had to be reinflated multiple times in the night.

I figured I'd go retrieve the moto which was still at the bottom of Castle Creek, hit up a hot spring, and then see how I felt.



Ended up hitting the hot spring on the way out. 9am and already multiple groups selfie-obsessed groups there. Figured it best not to wait til later. I headed for the one upstream a bit and on the far side of the creek.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_100134.jpg


No selfie here. You'll have to settle for a shot of my feet

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_100908.jpg


Got the moto and did a little fishing on the way back. A few decent rainbows in the 10-14" range plus a few smaller ones.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_091644.jpg


It was getting on toward noon so I hit up the Sawtooth Brewery for lunch.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_120728.jpg


I had a bunch of rides in mind but had to be done at a decent hour. Rather than two big rides I went back to do a short one on Corral Trail, which I climbed on my way to the Pioneer Cabin. It is 3 miles of super sweet flowing singletrack through the trees with the most awesome smell of pine and damp dirt.


The start, climbing up to tree line

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...702_123600.jpg


3 miles out and 3 miles back. Perfect.

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I had time for one more moderate loop and opted for Greenhorn-Imperial south of town rather than any of the stuff right by Ketchum. It was getting on towards 3pm by the time I got there so there were not many people around. Bonus.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_160352.jpg


Mostly the climbing was mellow. Good thing, as it was hot out.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_160758.jpg


Lots of flowers trail side

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First trail intersection after half mile of steep climbing. A couple burned out chairs to sit down on, if you dare...

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_171427.jpg


Almost at the top, the views really opened up on the ridge here

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_173535.jpg


Great place for a snack break

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One more saddle

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Into the trees. Shade break

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Fun descent with just a short climb near the end

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_174843.jpg


And...done. I liked this loop. Had a bit of everything. I was tempted to turn off and head north/west rather than right onto Imperial Gulch. Looks like there are infinite ways to put together loops in this area. I'll be back for sure.

10.5mi +/- 1,700ft


Onwards! Being 4th of July I was treated to a full on fire works show all around me driving through rural Idaho. Guess they don't have much to burn down in the flat lands.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...704_211508.jpg

Hey man. Glad you enjoyed our hood so much.

Day 5

SLC area


The drive down through NV would have saved an hour or more, but temps that way were not looking favorable. High 90s for a high in Caliente. So I opted to head down through SLC and get in a high elevation ride, and hopefully not get home too late.

Prior TRs I've seen did not name the location so I'll follow suit here. If you know, you know I guess....



Started near camp with a bit of extra credit

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_092350.jpg


Some flowers to spice up the views

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_104659.jpg


Nearing the top of a long, shitty hike a bike section

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_113058.jpg


More, less shitty hike a bike

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_115646.jpg


Looking across, lots of trail opportunity over there?

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_120256.jpg


Probably not as primo as this ridge, though

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_122726.jpg


The goal now in sight. I'd spotted some hikers on the peak but hadn't met them yet

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_124056.jpg


View to the NE from a saddle

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_125835.jpg


Climbing out of a gully

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Met the 3 hikers here. Final stretch! This is going to be some sketchy shit coming back down

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_131735.jpg


Summit view

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_133449.jpg


Looking back down at the climb

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_133405.jpg


Someone mentioned I shouldn't see any hikers up here. Well these are either all covid hikers or the secret is out, but there were a full 3-4 pages of check-ins dated July 3 in the summit register, including this lucky guy. I ran into 5 groups on the descent, other than the group I'd already passed. Plus a solo dog near the bottom on my climb up. That one's a mystery.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_134318.jpg


Fun descent!

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09..._124859.vr.jpg


https://youtu.be/OTxpIffhO2E

16.5mi, +3,525/-5,625


Fun, except for the shitty HAB section in the middle. That sucked almost as much going down as it did going up. I finished at the grotto but there were 50,000 hikers there so I cooled off in the stream next to the truck rather than head up there. Ride took longer than hoped so I was running a little behind schedule. 3pm with a 12 hr drive home? No problem....


You can do 85-90 on Utah freeways right? Well with the right strategy, you can. I'd fall in behind someone going that pace, and then back off 1/2 to 3/4 mile but keeping them in view. That way any highway patrol would ping them and I'd have plenty of warning. Worked great on the drive from Ely to Twin Falls, and even better on the drive south of SLC. A few who took one for the team:

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_171001.jpg

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...5_171604_1.jpg


This one made me sweat a little as the officer was on the median and couldn't pull out right away, he was almost turning into me as he got on the freeway. But went for the car ahead of the RV.

http://www.habventures.com/photos/09...705_184503.jpg


Great trip! Got home a lot later than hoped with some BS traffic around Baker CA. But recovering is what Mondays are for, right?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CaliBrit

Hey man. Glad you enjoyed our hood so much.

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Thanks! You guys have some pretty rad trails. Wish I could spend a couple weeks or more up there!

Nice trip report, thanks!

Nice, looks like a good trip.

Sick TR!
That undisclosed UT peak has a similarly high price of admission in the winter but you can't beat those summit views... And the ridge looks absolutely glorious!

Great stuff and nice work on Santaquin. Crazy that it's become that popular. I did it five years ago on a Saturday morning and I'm pretty sure I didn't see a single person.

Thanks!

Hopefully they are just Covid hikers and will go back to gyms and shopping malls once things calm down. I was glad I was there on Sunday with 10-12 ppl and not on Saturday. Guess most people go to church Sundays?